NONTHABURI, Thailand - President Donald Trump has invited Southeast Asian leaders to a “special summit” in the United States early next year after skipping their ongoing annual summit in Thailand. Monday’s meeting with the U.S. would normally would be attended by presidents or prime ministers. Only host Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-cha of Thailand and the prime ministers of Vietnam and Laos joined O’Brien and the foreign ministers sent by other countries. Last year, Trump sent Vice-President Mike Pence to the annual ASEAN summit and related meetings. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the leaders who met with their ASEAN counterparts during the summit.

Source: thestar November 04, 2019 05:37 UTC